COMPETITION - Win 5 Centimeters Per Second on DVD

As announced on Episode 19 of our podcast, we have a DVD of '5 Centimeters Per Second' to give away!

Be sure to listen to our latest podcast to hear our spoiler free review on this work by Makoto Shinkai.

If you fancy entering this competition to win this DVD, all you have to is send your answering to the following question to AnimeChronicleUK@Gmail.com :

Included on the UK DVD release of 'Voices Of A Distant Star' was a short film. What was the name of that short film?

NOTE - Please include you name, address and telephone number in you entry.

Closing Date to enter is Thursday 25th March at 9am GMT, with the winners being announced on our podcast to be recorded on March 25th.

Terms And Conditions -
*This competition is for the chance to one DVD of '5 Centimeters Per Second'.
*Entry is open to anyone in the world, but the DVD is in Region 2 coding. Please make sure if you reside outside the UK that can play region 2 DVDs.
*Prize cannot be exchanged for other prizes or cash alternative.

Good luck to everyone who enters!

Manga UK launch brand new video blog!

Manga have launched a brand new video blog to compliment their new site lunched earlier this month!

The first video focuses on the upcoming release of Summer Wars and acts as an introduction to the premise of the film while at the same time showcasing many examples of the animation included in the film. It also utilises part of the soundtrack of the movie that adds a unique tone as a whole to the video!

We will note that this video has been created to not spoil the story (aside from establishing the basic plot). If you're worried about potential major spoilers, don't be. They've been very careful to make sure that doesn't happen.

So if you haven't seen the 'Summer Wars' and are thinking of purchasing it upon release on March 28th, it's well worth heading over to MangaUK.com to view it and wet your appetite for the DVD and Blu-Ray!

Crunchyroll updates (including Global Shinkai Day ) for this weekend

Before we go any further, following the devastation in Japan caused by the earthquake and tsunami, Crunchyroll have launched their own relief fund for those affected. If you would like to donate, you can find all of the information here.

This is just a small update following our previous report on the 'Gloabl Shinkai Day 2011' weekender over at Crunchyroll.

We originally reported (both here and on Episode 18 of our podcast) that we expected to see the the three works of Makoto Shinkai screened in Japanese with English Subtitles at Crunchyroll. And this still applies to "Voices Of A Distant Star" and "Place Promised In Our Early Days". However, "5 Centimeters Per Second" is actually available to view in either Japanese with English Subtitles or with the English dub!

We believe this is because Crunchyroll is the official distributor of "5 Centimeters Per Second" in the United States, thus having the rights to both the Japanese and English dubbed versions. Great news for those of wanting to to watch it in English!

It should also be noted that following the earthquake and tsunami devastation in Japan, any scheduled simulcasts have taken place this weekend have been postponed. This is not to say they have been cancelled. Simply postponed until a later date. You can read the announcement by Crunchyroll here.

Episode 18 of The Anime Chronicle Podcast available now!

The latest edition of The Anime Chronicle Podcast is available to listen/download right now over at the following link - http://animechronicle.podbean.com/2011/03/11/episode-18/

You can find us on the iTunes music store here. (If it's not appearing on the listing, it should be on there shortly.)

Enjoy the show~!

Girugamesh London signing session announced!

In just over a week, Friday 18th March, one of the premiere bands of the Japanese music scene "Girugamesh" will return to the UK for a one night only concert as part of their "Here we Go!!" world tour in support of the groups recent album release "GO". The show is taking place at the Islington Academy and tickets are still available at the cost of £25 (excluding any potential booking fees.)

However if you have ever wanted the chance to meet the band outside of the concert environment, now might be your chance to do just that as the band have announced a special signing session the day before the concert on Thursday 17th March!

The session will be at 'The Pipeline' in east London near Liverpool Street Station. But, it should be noted there is a very limited amount of time to meet the band and there are strict guidelines for those wanting to attend this event too! Below is the official press release regarding the signing session:

"Girugamesh London Signing Session
Japan Underground and Gan-Shin Records have teamed up to present you with a rare signing session from Japanese rock outfit Girugamesh!

The band's time is extremely limited, and as such the following conditions apply;
* All ages are welcome, under 14s supervised by a responsible adult,
* Signing will take place for one hour only between 5-6pm,
* One item for signing per person,
* No photography or video footage to be taken of the band,
* Please keep any interaction with the band to a minimum, if you take too long you will be moved on to speed up the queue.

Security will be at the venue, and if they or the band feel that fans are not well behaved or adhering to the rules set above, they will end the session early.

Merchandise from the band will be available for sale at the venue, and Girugamesh's live DVD Crazy, Crazy, Crazy will be shown on the venue's projector. So bring friends, and feel free to chill out in the bar afterwards, listening to the band's tunes, watching their DVD and getting ready for their live show the following day!

The venue is a 5 minute walk from Liverpool Street Station.
The Pipeline,
94 Middlesex Street,
London,
E1 7DA
020 7377 6860
http://www.thepipelinebar.co.uk/

Girugamesh's homepage: http://www.girugamesh.jp/english/
Gan Shin's homepage: http://www.gan-shin.com/
Japan Underground's homepage: http://japanunderground.wordpress.com/

As the event falls on St. Patrick's Day, the venue will be holding an Irish punk night afterwards, so feel free to stick around for cheap Guinness and plenty of Flogging Molly and the like!"

As mentioned, the band will be playing at the Islington Academy in North London on March 18th, tickets can be purchased here. We'll be attending to the concert, so expect to hear a full report on a future Anime Chronicle Podcast!